We are in need of a set of Michellin XWX 205/70R14. If anyone has or knows of a set please let me know. Thanks, Jeff
For show, or to drive on? I bought mine from Coker (to drive on), but I've also heard good things about Longstone (I believe) in the UK.
246GTs and 246GTSs, along with miscellaneous 308GT4s and later 308s use Michelin XWX 205/70VR14 tires, so you might want to check out the following threads: This one is from the 206/246 section http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46288 This one is from the 308/328 section http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=279745 You will need to read them both very carefully. Both threads start off relatively optimistically, yet they end up as complete train wrecks. Circa 2001/2002 I order a set from Coker. They cost about $249 at the time (I believe), but it took Michelin and Coker 19 months to build and ship them to me. Now they cost a little over $500.00 EACH!!! And, it is unclear if you are really getting a "V" rated tire now from Michelin, despite what it might say on the sidewall. You might also want to consider a set of Vredestein Sprint Classic tires. They make a 205/70VR14 and a 205/70VR15. Both have the correct shoulder profile, and a friend of mine with two 246GTSs bought a set of 5 for one of his Dinos and he likes them better than the Michelin XWXs that he has on his other 246GTS. Mark
Thanks. Longstone said they will have them ready for shipping on Friday but I'll check out the other ones mentioned also.
What car do you have? If it is a vintage car (330, 275), as this thread implies, you need 205-80-14. If so, I recommend Vredestein Comtrac. I had a set on my GTC and found them far superior to the Michelin XWXs, which I thought were hard as rocks, handled poorly, and had no sidewall give. Terrible tire IMO. The Michelins were designed 50 years ago, after all. BTW - I have been running Vredesteins or Yokohamas by choice sind the mid-1970s. Both excellent tires for the money. I actually have a spare set (5) of the Vredesteins - never used, always stored inside in climate controil - if you are interested. Willing to sell cheap - not the outrageous $500 per tire Cocker is charging for the Michelins. Say about $500 for 5. If you want 205-70-14, Bridgestone makes - or used to make - a decent tire. Check Dunlop and Goodrich. John Ratto 702-454-7929 [email protected] If you are interested, I will send e-mail with photos of the Vredesteins.
PFSEX Do you know the origin of the Vredestein Comtrac tyres you recommend? I cannot trace the sizes you refer to on the European web sites. In the UK people have more recently fitted 215/70 VR 14 XWXs to GTBs and GTCs as the extra width better fills the wheel arch - 205/80s have not been available and 205/70s look too skinny. I believe that Longstones now do the original 205/80s as well but XWXs in these sizes are very costly and presumably based on 60's compounds. I have used Vredestein's on my daily driver and agree that they are good. I would certainly give them a try on my GTC if I could trace a source nearer to home! John
I was emailing with Longstone today about the XWX tires and I had asked them about the customs duty and other taxes on these tires. They could not give me an answer on this, what did they tell you or do you know?
Thanks, but Im curious how much would customs be on say $2000.00 of tires, Iwas wondering if anybody knew.
When I bought my XWXs a couple of years ago I was able to buy the std 205 VR 14. This is a 78 series. The Pirellis and Dunlops that were originally mounted to GTCs were also 78 series. I agree that 205/70 VR 14 size tires do not properly "fill" the wheel well on the GTC. You have to be careful about clearance for the 78s though. Over bumps they would rub the spiral heater duct in the top of the wheel well. I had to have the straps holding this duct tightened. I also flattened the profile of the duct as well to squeeze as much clearance over the tire as possible. I think this was a design flaw from the beginning as the rubbing happened to my 1st GTC as well as my dad's GTS. When we acquired these cars in 1974 and 1976 both had the 78 series tires.
Waiting to hear back as to the ETA into the states. I think there is 2.5% import tax added when they enter the U.S.
The Vredestein's I have were made in 2007. I know - a while ago. But...they have never been mounted - zero heat cycles, and they have always been stored indoors in moderate climate (San Francisco-Oakland). They are still quite soft and look as new. Still have stickers on them. As far as I know, these tires are no longer being imported to the US. If you don't care about concours judging - I would recommend any good 215-70-14 as a substitute for the XWXs. But if you get judged by FCA, you will be docked a lot of points for either 215-70-14 or 205-70-14. They hemmed and hawed about the Vredesteins, but they had to let them go because they were the correct size (205-14) for the car. 78 series was standard in America - 80 was standard in europe back in the day. The old XWXs and the Vredestein's as well do not say 80. They only say 205-14. This was the Euro standard in the 1960s. Also, by the way, there were no speed ratings back in the 60s. So, any tire with a V or H or any other speed rating would be technically incorrect. Check your 275/330 manual - no speed rating mentioned. In fact, no Michelin XWX mentioned. Only 205-14 Dunlop and Pirelli I beleive. The Michelin XWX was a later design/ That said, correct size is what matters for judging.
The (original) spare on my 68 Euro GTC is a Firestone Cavallino, and I believe these were used as OEM for a few years - a contemporary road test of a 69 365 GTC makes reference to them. I guess that at this time Firestone were supplying the F1 team and that this was a marketing move - I have never seen the Cavallinos since. John (ps - I have no intention of ever using the spare - it is hard as rock and completely perished!)
I spoke to U.S customs this morning and was told the duty was 4 percent, then a friend said exactly what you are saying 2.5 percent, so who know's, I guess I will find out when the tires arrive.
I just looked up this old thread since I want to replace the aging XWXs on my GTC. I found a couple US venders with Vredestein (and learned it is pronounced VRED-ess-tine) They have classic pattern tires in 205-14, and cost is a reasonable $250. However the outside diameter is considerably smaller than the XWXs, 25.3" vs 26.8 I think that's a big deal visually speaking, so I'm going with the Michelins. BTW Coker price is now up to >$600 although they are in stock.
Longstone UK are offering free shipping to many destinations at the moment http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/Special_Offer Customs charges ( if any ) would be extra though, and would be the recipients responsibility. M
Depends on your driving. I have both new; Coker Michelin XWX and Vredstein Sprint Classics in 205/70/14 on two different sets of wheels for my Dino. Did some fast driving and experienced sidewall flex on the XWXs during a long LH sweeper of constant radius. This bothered me and I have run the Vreds ever since with no issues. PS - here is a lower cost option and source to buy from, email from a purchase with alternate recommendation too ---------------------------------------------- From: [email protected] Subject: RE: Five Vredstein VEDSC205/70VR14 tires David Cloverleaf Auto Service 207 Pennsylvania Ave. Malvern, PA 19355 610 647-5900 www.cloverleaf-auto.com
http://www.michelin-passion.com/passion/collection/en/cr_pneu_dlr_res.jsp?lang=EN&codeRubrique=9&Pays=GB Link to Michelin Dealer locator (for vintage tyres).
I should've read this thread more carefully. Tires arrived and I could see at a glance they are too short compared with the old ones. The critical detail I missed was they are 205/70VR-14 and what I want are the 205 VR14, which apparently have the 78 aspect ratio given the diameter data on the site referenced above. So sending back to Coker (who I assume is now selling the remanufactured Michelin original?) hope they have the VR14. Clearly these won't do.
Those are the 308GTB fitment, very sorry if my earlier post here was the source of the confusion. Good to know Coker HAS them.....
Coker has the exclusive "rights" to the vintage pattern, as I understand it. Tires are still made by Michelin, although not often, production wise.
